{"product_id":"dartmoor-foraged-oak-gall-ink-15ml","title":"Dartmoor foraged oak gall ink - 15mL","description":"\u003cp\u003eHand-gathered from the rugged oaks of Dartmoor, this ink captures the spirit of the wild moorlands, offering a deep, earthy colour that ranges from greys to dark brown. Each bottle of ink captures the essence of Dartmoor and the natural cycles that have shaped it for millennia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for artists, calligraphers, and anyone with a love for traditional craftsmanship, this oak gall ink is both beautiful and sustainable. By buying Dartmoor-foraged oak gall ink, you not only bring a piece of nature into your creative work but also contribute to a more sustainable future—where every drop of ink is as kind to the earth as it is inspiring to use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe next batch of ink will be released later this year. Please subscribe to our newsletter to be notified.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour: \u003c\/strong\u003egreys through to warm black\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e one 15mL vial of oak gall ink\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dip pens or small paint brushes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for fountain pens?\u003c\/strong\u003e No.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients: \u003c\/strong\u003eGalls from English Oaks, Dartmoor rainwater, gum Arabic, Iron(II)sulphate, clove oil.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Perfect Gift For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArtists and calligraphers. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEco-conscious individuals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNature Lovers and Foragers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters and Journal Keepers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorians and Vintage Enthusiasts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimalists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBotanists and Gardeners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsage Tips\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a natural product. Pigment settlement is normal. Shake well before use. We make our ink with a goodly amount of gum Arabic. If you find it's too thick, you can add a little water.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow it's made\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOak galls are the marvellous result of a wasp and an oak tree's relationship. The adult oak gall wasp lays its egg in the branch of an oak tree. The oak tree responds by growing a marble-shaped ball of oak flesh around the egg. The egg incubates in its safe home, before hatching and eating its way out of the gall. The gall is now waste, and the wasp moves on with the next part of its life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOak galls are fantastic for ink making because they are extremely tannin-rich. After harvesting the empty oak galls, we crush them, soak them in water to release the tannins. To this mixture, we add a little iron, and the tannin-rich water transforms from dark brown to midnight black. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe use only vacated galls. That means the wasp has already burrowed its way out of the gall through a little exit hole. Green galls stay on the tree, brown galls are inspected for exit holes before harvesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the colour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample of ink on the outside of the bottle includes one thick brush stroke of colour from the bottle. The ink \u003cem\u003eusually\u003c\/em\u003e changes colour as it dries and is exposed to air. It may be darker, or it may lighten. Use the label as your guide for the colour, but be aware that the paper will also affect the colour of the dried ink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWant to make your own?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn session two of the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.princetownpress.live\/products\/from-galls-to-nettles-a-natural-ink-learning-series\"\u003eGalls to Nettles webinar series\u003c\/a\u003e I go into huge detail on how iron gall ink is made (including rather a lot of chemistry details, for those who are inclined). The live sessions are over, but you can still buy the recordings (which come with comprehensive handouts, too). If you prefer print: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.princetownpress.live\/collections\/printed-notes\/products\/printed-notes-on-foraging-for-colour-volume-1\"\u003eForaging for Colour\u003c\/a\u003e includes an ink-making recipe for oak gall ink. We also have a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.princetownpress.live\/blogs\/journal\/iron-gall-ink-basic-recipe\"\u003efree recipe\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Princetown Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49217873412381,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0807\/2842\/4733\/files\/oak-gall-ink-bottle_928d7d77-c919-4848-bf2e-4e998bafd19c.jpg?v=1755178641","url":"https:\/\/www.princetownpress.live\/products\/dartmoor-foraged-oak-gall-ink-15ml","provider":"Princetown Press","version":"1.0","type":"link"}